Page 36 of His Pirate Wife

“We read…The Timessaid…” Beth sobbedout.

“All I did was my duty. It was nothing but a twist of fate that placed me in those waters and if not for Mia… I’m not a hero. I’m a captain of a ship that was in the right place at the right time,” Devin said then turned, paced to the window and clasped his hands behind his back. Damn, he never should have let Mia pass on the credit for either the slaver or the pirateship.

“Why must you send him out so young?” He heard Mia ask the question, and turned to hear the response. The expressions on their faces told of something darker than just the want to be rid of a son, but the answer was delayed more when Mr. Hong came in unannounced, followed by Grim. They both carried several baskets and Devin could smell thefood.

Mia began directing things, but she spoke so only Mr. Hong could understand. And the man rushed around setting up the room so everyone could eat comfortably. He had to slap Grim on the arm several times as the giant keep trying to get Robbie to stop hiding fromhim.

“Mr. Hong,” Mia called as she started repacking a bit of the meal. “The weather, is it terribly coldout?”

“Ah, no. Nice now. Sun bright. Wind noblow.”

“Why don’t you and Grim take Robert,” she said pointing to the boy, “to eat outside. Take him to play on the grounds by thecannons.”

“Oh, boy like cannons. Yes, you come. Grim he not play by cannon today.” Mr. Hong held out his hand. But everyone saw the boy cowerback.

“It’s a sound idea,” Devin said, knowing the adults didn’t want to answer Mia’s question with him in the room. “Go with them, Mr. Winthrop. Grim is a fine good companion to have out ofdoors.”

“Mama?” Now Devin heard real fear in the child’s voice. And when the woman turned to look at Devin then to her husband, he saw more than fear, he sawterror.

“It will be all right, Grace,” Ronaldsaid.

“He couldn’t have better company than those two… Grace? Is it?” Devin said and waved the trioout.

“Yes, pardon the introductions. They weren’t what I expected.” Grace said and sniffed. Ronald reached out and took her handbriefly.

“So, now?” Devin asked accepting a plate from Mia as he joined everyone on the floor for the impromptu picnic. “Why not take him home and let him finish hisschooling?”

Looks were exchanged and tears welled up and spilled over Grace’s and his mother’s eyes. “He’s the only one left,” Richard said, dragging his arm across his eyes. “Everyone else waslost.”

Devin watched the two women turn to cling to each other as they wept. He saw both his brothers drop their heads and when he turned to his father, the man’s eyes were misty. “Mine took ‘emall.”

“Took themallwho?” Devin asked and felt a sickness risingup.

“My elder son,” Ronald said. “Richard’s two boys, his daughter and… hiswife.”

“Caroline killed herself,” Richard snapped. “She killed herself. Why can’t any of you sayit?”

“No mother can stand such grief, Richard,” Beth said through her tears as she reached out to touch Richard’s arm. “The mine took herlike—”

“His wife did,” the accusation in Richard’s tone wasn’t missed but neither was the guilt. Still Grace began to wail, and Ronald gathered her againsthim.

“Only because of Robbie,” Cole whispered. “We can’t put him in that mine, but there’s no other work to be had back home. And they start them now atten.”

“Father and Richard still work it,” Ronaldexplained.

“And you?” Devin asked as he tried to make sense of what he was told. He had four nieces and nephews he would never have the chance to meet, another sister-in-law gone already. When he was a child, everyone he knew worked the mines or waited until they were old enough they could. It was a good living, but it was dangerous. As dangerous as his own career. Maybe he’d been too fast tojudge.

“That one,” his father said jerking his head towards Ronald. “That one, he’s smart, clever. Likeyou.”

“I was hired in to do accounting. I wasn’t in the mines,” Ronald said and again Devin knew guilt when he heard it. “Father and Richard were to be on the next shift when the explosion happened. The children, we asked they work together when they hired in and…” he trailed off and pulled Gracecloser.

“We hadn’t heard you married, Robert,” Grace said. “Do you have childrenyet?”

“No, we’re still newlywed,” Mia said and reached out to set her hand on hisfather’s.

“The boy needs a career, he needs to work,” his father said forcing that gruffness back into his voice. “But I won’t lose another of my flesh to thatmine.”

“God save us,” Devinbreathed.

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